Lucy Lawless To Guest Star On Parks And Recreation In Season 5

In what is most definitely an awesome bit of casting news, Lucy Lawless (Battlestar Galactica, Xena: Warrior Princess, Spartacus) is headed to Parks and Recreation. What's more, her role sounds especially fantastic, as she's set to play a love interest to one of the lead characters in the series' upcoming fifth season.

Who better to date Ron Swanson than a former Cylon? EW reports that Lawless is headed to Parks and Recreation for a guest spot that will have her appearing in at least two episodes. Her character's name is Diane and she'll catch Ron's eye when he and Andy attempt to deal with a problem she brings to the Parks department.

The last time I saw Lucy Lawless, she was surprising a very excited crowd of Comic Con fans with her unannounced appearance at the Spartacus panel at Comic Con last month. (Those who weren't in attendance can watch it here.) With Lucretia's story wrapped up (to put it extremely mildly), we won't have Lawless to look forward to when Spartacus: War of the Damned premieres next January. But at least that frees her up for other roles, including this Parks and Rec guest spot. Her first appearance will be in Season 5's third episode, which airs October 4th.

Parks and Recreation returns Thursday, September 20 at 9:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Check out the full Fall 2012 premiere schedule here.